Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, entertainment, harassment, kurtis weibe, Rat Queens, Roc Upchurch, Tess Fowler

Artist Pushed Out For Roc Upchurch To Return To Rat Queens? (UPDATE)

Published Sun, 15 May 2016 08:00:19 -0500

Last updated Wed, 15 Nov 2017 04:00:28 -0600

Recently it was announced by co-creator Kurtis Weibe that Rat Queens was being put on hiatus as a series. There had been troubles since it was discovered that the other co-creator, Roc Upchurch, had been arrested on charges of domestic abuse. While there was no prosecution by the courts, Upchurch admitted to being involved to Bleeding Cool.

Upchurch left the book as a restult and was replaced with artist Tess Fowler. But that run came to an end. And Fowler has now chosen to start talking and answering questions, that seems to indicate that Rat Queens is planned to return with Upchurch as artist. She tweets,

I think I'm going to start offering a buy one get one free deal on all this RQ art. I'd really like to not have to live with it anymore.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

Nah I'm fine. And anyone can ask anything they want.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

It's on break but no I'm not returning to it. Circumstances don't allow it.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

Minus gory details: He was never *out* of the mix. I just wasn't allowed the truth, despite asking for fair warning.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

I'm no longer involved and honestly it's just really sad. I don't hate anyone. Just have to take care of me.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

people make their own beds. Not my problem.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

I found out I was being pushed out to bring in the original artist. The one thing I asked to be warned about.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

I forgave him. I just wish I could have been told in advance. When I asked point blank. Repeatedly.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

It was. But I'm safe and moving on. To each their own, right?

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Gaiz I'm honestly fine. People ask questions: I'm going 2 answer. So long as media doesnt spin a vendetta we're good pic.twitter.com/chX6OCrDrP

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

They're the creators. I was always respectful of that. It was never mine. Peace be with them both.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

I'm no longer involved and honestly it's just really sad. I don't hate anyone. Just have to take care of me.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

And that's as artfully as I can possibly put it. pic.twitter.com/bg0znnMxsI

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

Oh I'm fine with that. My relationship with the printed work and the fans is always a happy one. I love my RQ family.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016

to be clear: I was told the opposite. That it would never happen. Then it went down behind my back.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

No spinning of vendettas here… and Fowler's original artwork for Rat Queens is on sale here.

Buy 1 pc of art get 1 of equal or lesser value free. Just let me know the 2nd one u want. https://t.co/NMV0a1vIzt pic.twitter.com/6D3P2T3tlU

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

UPDATE: Tess has added a number of comments after the piece ran on Bleeding Cool, addressing a number of concerns from people.

Once again: This is not war. It's over & I'm fine. Torches down gaiz. I was just answering questions. Be like Fonzie pic.twitter.com/hM89QAH5hq

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Bottom line: It's a creator owned book. I'm not one of the creators. My only choice was to take the lies on the chin & move on. Not my space

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

I was asked point blank questions. I answered honestly. That's all I can do for fans who heard me promise to stick with a book they loved.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

THIS is the reality of comics. Of the world itself tbh. It's unfair. U take it on the chin, u mourn. U knock back a little whiskey & move on

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Business is business. I prefer honest business dealings. But hey, people in hell want ice water. This is life. U get hit: get up walk it off

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Thanks. And yes. Exactly. :)

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Thanks. All signs point to yes. But even if this was it for me I'm ok with that too. Whatever life has in store I'll roll with it

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

it's a fairly easy equation in my book. They can do what they want. It's a free country & it's their book. I cut ties 4 my sanity.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

oh they're already calling it that. It's the price of being honest. No matter how kind & fair minded I'm being

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

They can do whatever they want. It's their right. My right was to choose whether or not I was associated with an unrepentant abuser–

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Creators have rights. There are rules to this. I HAVE to respect their right to do what they want. That's just business. I'm good with that-

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

I went in knowing and accepting it wasn't my book. I was always respectful of that. Again it's just business. I did want fair warning.–

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

I dont believe in/condone boycotts or forcing one's will on others. They can do anything they like. That's their's to deal with.–

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Again I do NOT condone boycotts. It's not something I'm ever ok with. Please remember that. This isn't a battle. It's over and I'm ok.–

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

But don't come at me with tweets about forgiving abusers. That's YOUR business. You do you. I know his ex wife & I have a rep I value–

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

I'm not going to abandon books I devoted my blood sweat and tears too unless there's no other choice.–

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Had I been warned & kept safe I would have found a tactful way to complete my obligation to the book and fans. It's business.–

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Instead I had an ever spiraling mess dropped in my lap & now I'm left having 2 explain 2 fans myself. All I could do was get 2 safer waters-

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

Im in waters that don't involve unrepentant abusers. So honestly pigeons: I'M TOTALLY FINE. Don't worry about me.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

She really is…

I believe in being fair and honest. Cultivating a spirit of kindness. It's the only way for me to sleep at night.

— Tess Fowler (currently working on a CO GN) (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016

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